Train for the deployment of sleepers and or railway track

ABSTRACT

A rail wagon ( 100, 400, 500, 700 ) is disclosed for the deployment of a panel of track or sleeper set from the wagon to an adjacent substantially parallel track bed in a single laying operation. Each wagon comprises a crane hoist ( 102, 403, 504 ) moveable from a transit position to an operational position and at least one stabilizing member in the form of an outrigger having an arm ( 108 ) and foot portion ( 109 ) to prevent tipping of the rail wagon during track or sleeper deployment. Methods of deployment of panels of pre-formed track and sleeper sets are also disclosed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to railroads, and particularly, althoughnot exclusively, to the laying of railway track, sleepers and rail.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Conventional railway track, which has been well known in the art formore than one hundred years, and of which millions of miles of track isin existence, comprises a pair of spaced apart metal rails, rigidly heldparallel to each other by a plurality of sleeper members positioned atregular intervals along a main length of the rails. Many differentmaterials are known for use in forming sleeper members, for examplewood, steel and concrete.

Modern methods of laying of railway track typically fall into one of twotypes. A first type of track laying method is known as single-trackrenewal wherein track components i.e. separate sleepers and lengths ofrail are transported to the track laying site on a flat bed-type railwaycargo wagon. Single-track renewal/laying takes the form of laying trackin front of the cargo wagon such as to extend the track upon which thecargo wagon is mounted. As more track is laid the wagon is progresseddown the track and so the track length is extended. A crane or hoist istypically operable to move between the cargo wagon where sleepers andrail length are stored to the track-laying site.

A second mode of track renewal comprises parallel track renewal whereinthe track being laid or renewed is parallel to an existing track. A setof cargo wagons carrying the track components e.g. sleepers and lengthof rail is moved along side the site of an area of track due for renewalor for first laying. Cranes separate to the wagons then operate toindividually unload single sleepers from the wagons which are then laidand to which separate rail lengths are then fixed into position.

Both of these prior art track laying/renewal methods are timeinefficient.

The typical time taken for laying a 300 yard length of track comprisingmultiple 60 foot track panels, each made up of 28 sleepers and 2 rails,is typically in the region of 5 to 6 hours.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to improve the speed of layingor renewal of railway track and sleepers.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide for thelaying of sections of railway track or sets of sleepers in a singlelaying operation.

The inventors have realized that the speed of railway track laying andrenewal can be significantly improved if multiple sections of track orsleepers can be laid in one operation.

The inventors have therefore provided a parallel track renewal/layingsystem comprising apparatus for the transport of sections of railwaytrack or sleeper sets to a track laying/renewal site. The inventors havefurther provided means to deploy sections of track or sleeper sets froma transport wagon, or series of transport wagons in train formation, toa parallel track-laying site. The inventors have further provided meansto stabilise the track/sleeper laying apparatus during track/sleeperdeployment.

The inventors have thereby provided a means and method of deployingrailway track or sleepers to a track renewal/laying site in multiplelengths of up to 60 feet comprising a sleeper set or a panel of trackcomprising a plurality of sleepers and two lengths of rail.

The inventors have provided a method of deployment of a plurality ofspaced apart railway sleepers from at least one flat bed wagon onto arailway track bed in a single operation. By simultaneously conductingthe deployment method from a plurality of adjacent wagons forming atrain, a plurality of sleepers extending over a length of the train canbe laid.

The inventors have further provided a method of filling in the gapsbetween sets of laid sleepers formed at the adjacent track bed betweenindividual flat bed wagons.

In the case where a plurality of panels of track are laid around acurved track bed, the sleepers and track extend along a plurality oftangential lines forming a polygon such that for each panel of tracklaid from a corresponding respective wagon the track panel lays in astraight line, a smoothing operation is applied to the polygonalsegments to move the plurality of sleepers and track lengths such thatthe line passing perpendicular to a main length of each sleeper ismodified from a polygonal segment to a smooth curve.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided arail wagon configured for deployment of railway track to a track bedadjacent said wagon, said wagon comprising:

a flat bed capable of carrying at least one panel of track, andcomprising one or more bogies supporting said flat bed; and

at least one crane hoist for lifting a said panel of track from aposition on said flat bed to a track bed adjacent said wagon.

According to a first specific method of the present invention there isprovided a method of deployment of a panel of track from a rail wagon,said method comprising the steps of:

in a single operation, lifting a panel of track from a flat bed railwagon;

transferring said panel in a direction transverse to a main length ofsaid wagon; and

lowering said panel onto a track bed adjacent to said wagon.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provideda rail wagon configured for deployment of a sleeper set to a track bedadjacent said wagon, said wagon comprising:

a flat bed configured for supporting a plurality of sleepers, and one ormore bogies supporting said flat bed; and

at least one crane hoist for lifting said sleeper set from a position onsaid flat bed to a track bed adjacent said wagon.

According to a second specific method of the present invention there isprovided a method of laying a sleeper set in a single operation from arail wagon, said method comprising the steps of:

lifting a plurality of spaced apart sleepers from a flat bed of saidwagon;

transferring said sleepers in a direction transverse to a main length ofsaid wagon; and

lowering said sleepers onto an adjacent track bed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same maybe carried into effect, there will now be described by way of exampleonly, specific embodiments, methods and processes according to thepresent invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates the track deployment wagon of the present inventionin accordance with the first embodiment, FIG. 1A illustrates a side viewof the wagon, FIG. 1B illustrates a plan view of the wagon and FIG. 1Cillustrates an end on view of the wagon during track deployment;

FIG. 2 illustrates schematically the problems associated with wagontipping during deployment of heavy sections of track;

FIG. 3 illustrates an enlarged end on view of the track deployment wagonaccording to the first embodiment illustrating a stabilizing footpreventing wagon tipping during track deployment;

FIG. 4 illustrates two track deployment wagons and a generator wagonconnected as part of a deployment train according to the secondembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5A illustrates a side view of the track deployment wagons of thethird embodiment of the present invention, additionally illustrating ahoist wagon for transferring sleepers and/or track from an adjacent flatbed wagon to a track renewal/laying site. FIG. 5B illustrates anenlarged view of a single track deployment wagon of the third embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates an enlarged end on view of a track deployment wagonaccording to the second and third embodiments of the present inventionillustrating a stabilizing foot preventing tipping of the wagon;

FIG. 7 illustrates a track deployment wagon according to the thirdembodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7A illustrating a side onview, FIG. 7B illustrating an end on view and FIG. 7C illustrating aplan view of a parallel track renewal/laying operation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

There will now be described by way of example the best mode contemplatedby the inventors for carrying out the invention. In the followingdescription numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparenthowever, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may bepracticed without limitation to these specific details. In otherinstances, well known methods and structures have not been described indetail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.

In this specification the term track refers to railway track, a sectionof which comprises the combination of a plurality of sleepers upon whichtwo rails are mounted.

In this specification a panel of track refers to a section ofpre-assembled track. The length of a panel is variable but typicallycomprises an approximately 60 foot (18 meters) length of pre-assembledtrack suitable for directly laying at a track renewal/laying site.

In this specification the term sleeper set refers to a plurality ofsleepers laid simultaneously at a track renewal/laying site. The layingof a sleeper set forming a base layer upon which rail can be mounted.

Referring to FIG. 1A herein, there is illustrated diagrammatically aside view of a track deployment wagon 100 according to a firstembodiment of the present invention. The wagon 100 comprises a flat bedrailway transporting cargo truck, the chassis forming a flat bed 101upon which the cargo is mounted. In the first embodiment of the presentinvention wagon 100 comprises at least one crane or hoist 102. FIGS. 1Aand 1B illustrate 3 hoists 102 each hoist comprising an upright supportstructure comprising a reinforced metal girder having a main axisextending substantially perpendicularly to the flat bed surface 101. Thehoist 102 is formed by an arm extending transversely outward from aregion of the support structure 103 distal to the flat bed 101. Amoveable winch 104 is mounted on the outwardly extending arm.

Referring to FIG. 1B herein, hoist 102 is moveable from a first transitposition 105 to a second operational position 106. The operationalposition providing the functional position in which track or sleeperscan be laid.

Referring to FIGS. 1A, B, and C herein, wagon 100 is loaded with up to 4panels of track stacked upon the main flat bed surface 101. In thisfirst specific embodiment each panel comprises a pre-formed section oftrack formed from 28 evenly spaced sleepers and two sections of railmounted on said sleepers. The panel is approximately 60 feet (18 meters)in length and extends substantially the entire length of the flat bedsurface 101.

Referring to FIG. 1C herein there is illustrated an end on view of thewagon 100 of the first embodiment illustrating the hoist 102 comprisingsupport structure 103 and hoist arm 102 in the operational position. Afirst panel is mounted upon the hoist 104 and is being moved into aposition for track laying. FIG. 1C further illustrates the wagon 100 tocomprise an outrigger member. This outrigger member comprises an armportion 108 extending from the wagon chassis and supported at the end ofthe arm distal to the wagon chassis by a foot member 109. Together thearm and foot form a stabilizing outrigger, the foot portion 109providing a stabilizing surface which can be placed in contact with amain ground surface. The outrigger is hydraulically operated to firmlyengage with the ground surface to support and stabilize wagon 100.

As a panel 107 is lifted from the wagon 100 and transported along hoistarm 102 towards a track laying site which is substantially parallel tothe track upon which the wagon is mounted the turning moments at theintersection of hoist arm 102 and support structure 103 increase urgingthe wagon 100 to tip in the direction of the track laying site. Thisproblem is illustrated in FIG. 2. Referring to FIGS. 2A, B and C, in theabsence of an outrigger, where a heavy panel or sleeper set is movedfrom the wagon in an outward direction in order to lay track at aparallel site the turning moments increase tending to tip the wagon.Clearly this is a dangerous and unwanted effect. Further referring toFIG. 1C the outrigger provides a stabilizing effect to prevent tippingof the wagon 100 during track or sleeper deployment.

Outriggers are not always required during track deployment. Outriggersare typically required where the panel of track or sleeper set beingdeployed is heavy such that wagon tipping can occur. Typicallyoutriggers are required during deployment of panels of track or sleepersets comprising concrete sleepers. In these situations at least oneoutrigger is required although typically one outrigger is provided perhoist 102. FIG. 1B illustrates the situation wherein each outrigger ismounted directly beneath each hoist, a support foot 109 placed on theground surface between the existing track 110 upon which wagon 100 ismounted and the track deployment site 111.

Referring to FIG. 3 herein there is illustrated an enlarged end on viewof the wagon 100 of the first embodiment. FIG. 3 illustrates the hoist102 in operational position having picked up a panel of track 107 viahoist 104 and a mounting means 112 lifting the panel via the rails 113.Outrigger arm 108 has been deployed to locate outrigger foot 109 at aground surface thereby stabilizing the wagon 100. The outrigger isadjustable such that the outrigger arm 108 is moveably mounted at thefoot portion 109 to accommodate uneven ground surfaces or variation inthe level of ground surface.

FIG. 3 further illustrates the typical average spacing between paralleltracks. The average distance between rails on a single track, the trackgauge, B, is typically 1.43 meters. The distance between rails onadjacent parallel tracks, C, is typically 6 feet (1.8 meters). Thedistance between the centre of two adjacent tracks, A, is typically 10feet (3.03 meters).

Further referring to FIGS. 1 and 3 herein a first specific method oftrack deployment is provided. A plurality of wagons 100 are each loadedwith at least one panel of track. The plurality of wagons are typicallyarranged on a single track to form a train. The train typicallycomprises 5 track deployment wagons and a generator wagon comprising apower generation unit to supply power to each of the hoists 102 to drivemovement of the hoist from the transit position to the operationalposition and for movement of the winch 104. The generator unit furtherproviding a power supply to drive positioning of the hydraulic outriggerfoot 109. An engine unit is further comprised at one end of the trainfor transport of the train of track deployment wagons to the trackrenewal/laying site.

Following transport of the track deployment train to the tracklaying/renewal site each track deployment wagon is positioned adjacentto the track laying region. Hoist arms 102 are moved from the transitposition 105 to the operational position 106 under control of motorunits powered by the generator set. Where necessary, outrigger foot 109is deployed to maintain stability of the wagon 100 during trackdeployment. Once the hoist arms 102 are in the operational position thepanel of track is connected to hoist 104 via mounting means 112connecting to the track rails 113. A single track panel is then hoistedfrom the wagon 100, lifted and transferred along the hoist arm 102 untilit is located approximately directly above the track laying site 111.The panel of track is then lowered into position. The hoist 104 andmounting means 112 is retracted from the panel leaving a single panel inposition. Whilst each panel of track is laid separately from anindividual track deployment wagon, by incorporating several wagons andtypically 5, to form a train, adjacent panels of track can be laidsimultaneously in a single track deployment operation. Each wagontypically lays a 60 foot length of track. In this way, up to 300 feet oftrack can be laid in a single operation, this operation takingapproximately fifteen minutes to complete. Adjacent rail sections arethen connected by means known to the man skilled in the art e.g. by useof the thermite reaction. Where 5 track deployment wagons are used in asingle train a 300 foot length of track is laid in a single operation.The hoist arms 102 are then returned to the transit position 105, thetrack deployment train is moved to the next adjacent track laying siteand the track deployment operation cycle can be repeated to lay the nextadjacent portion of track.

In many instances track will be laid along non-linear renewal/layingsites. Where a track to be laid is required to have a curved formmultiple panels of track are initially laid wherein each panel islinear, adjacent panels being slightly offset such as to follow thegeneral form of the curve of the track renewal/laying site. The resultis a plurality of tangential lines of track panels which form a polygonoutlining the general shape of the desired curve. Once the track hasbeen laid in this manner a smoothing operation is applied to theconnected rails and sleepers to modify the laid track from the polygonalsegmented form to a smooth curve. This smoothing operation involves theuse of known prior art tapping machines moving along the rails andapplying a pressure to the rails to introduce a desired curve.

Referring to FIG. 4 there is illustrated two deployment wagons 400according to the second specific embodiment of the present invention anda generator wagon 401 connected together to form a deployment train. Thesecond embodiment of the present invention is concerned with thedeployment of sleeper sets where the sleepers comprise metal sleepers,typically made from steel. Each of the deployment wagons 400 comprises asubstantially planar base 402 mounted on a chassis with bogies mountingthe wagon upon a first track. Sleeper set deployment being to anadjacent substantially parallel track renewal/laying site. Wagon 400further comprises at least one hoist and typically two or more hoists403. Each hoist comprising an arm connected to a support structure 404,each arm having a winch 405 moveable along the hoist arm 403. Duringtransit the hoist arm is in a transit position substantially in linewith the main longitudinal length of the deployment wagon. Once thedeployment site has been reached the hoist arm is released andmaneuvered into position such as to extend transversely outwardly fromthe main longitudinal length of the deployment wagon and across theadjacent deployment site. This movement is powered via motors on thedeployment wagon 400 driving movement of hoist arm 403 about supportstructure 404. This is powered by the generator wagon 401.

In the second embodiment a set of steel sleepers, typically comprising28 steel sleepers, each of approximately 2 meters length and distributedevenly over a 60 foot length, corresponding to the length of deploymentwagon base platform 402, is deployed in a single step to a deploymentsite. The steel sleepers are stacked at predetermined intervals upon thedeployment wagon. Steel sleepers can be stacked conveniently in stacksof 10. At least one bar or beam 406 extending the length of thedeployment wagon 400 is provided mounted on at least one of the winches405 and typically to each winch on a single deployment wagon 400. Thebeam provides a mounting means for mounting each of the sleepers to bedeployed. Whilst a single broad beam is sufficient for deployment of asteel sleeper set, two adjacent beams 406 in approximately parallelconfiguration provide a stable means of deploying the steel sleeper set.Each beam 406 is provided with means to mount a sleeper set such as toattach beam 406 to a single sleeper 407 at predetermined intervals alongbeam 406 such as to mount a single sleeper set comprising 28 sleepersspaced evenly along the beam which can be lifted from the wagon 400 anddeployed at the adjacent deployment site in a single step.

Steel sleepers are significantly lighter than concrete sleepers and itis possible to lay a single sleeper set comprising 28 sleepers evenlyspaced along an approximately 60 foot length in accordance with thesecond embodiment of the present invention without the need to deploy anoutrigger foot of the type described for the first embodiment of thepresent invention. However, this is not limiting and wagons 400according to the second embodiment of the present invention mayoptionally further comprise at least one stabilizing outrigger footportion deployable at the deployment site to stabilize wagon 400 duringsleeper set deployment.

In accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention andfurther referring to FIG. 4 herein a second specific method of thepresent invention is provided. In this method a deployment traincomprising a plurality of deployment wagons 400 mounted with stacks ofsteel sleepers 407 spaced at predetermined intervals to form a sleeperset are loaded on the deployment wagon base surface 402. The deploymenttrain further comprises a generator wagon to power deployment of thesleeper set and an engine vehicle for transport to the deployment site.Following transport to the deployment site the hoist arms 403 are movedinto operational position for deployment of the sleeper set. The atleast one beam or bar 406 mounted on hoist 405 is connected to theuppermost steel sleeper of each sleeper stack 407. Lifting of the hoistresults in lifting of an entire sleeper set 408. The hoists are thenmoveable along arms 403 until they are directly above the deploymentsite wherein the winch 405 lowers the sleeper set 408 into position. Byhaving a plurality of deployment wagons in a line forming a trainseveral sleeper sets can be laid down in a single operation. Once inposition the lifting bar 406 is detached from the sleepers, the winch405 retracts the bar 406 to be substantially above the main baseplatform 402 of the wagon 400. Each hoist arm is then unlocked from theoperational position and moved to the transit position and locked inplace for transit, a bearing in the winch 405 mounting enabling the bar406 to remain in approximate alignment with the main longitudinal bodyof the wagon 400.

Deployment of sleeper sets according to the second specific methodleaves a small gap between sleeper sets equivalent to the gap betweenadjacent deployment wagons. This gap is filed with sleepers, typically 2or 3 sleepers, by an electromagnetic manager deploying sets of 2 or 3sleepers filling the spaces between sleeper sets. This occurs after themain deployment. Following filling of gaps between sleeper sets acontinual row of sleepers is in position and suitable for mounting ofrail to form continuous track.

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 illustrate aspects of a third specific embodiment ofthe present invention. FIG. 5A illustrates part of a sleeper deploymenttrain comprising a plurality of deployment wagons 500. The combinationof a flat bed wagon and heavy duty hoist wagon are illustrated at oneend of the train 501. An enlarged view of deployment wagon 500 isillustrated in FIG. 5B.

Referring to FIG. 5B herein the sleeper deployment wagon 500 comprisesat least two bogies for mounting the wagon on two rails of a length ofrailway track. A chassis provides a flat bed base 502 upon which atleast one layer of sleepers 503 are stacked. FIG. 5B illustrates threestacks of sleepers, each layer comprising approximately 56 sleepersalong an approximately 60 foot length of the wagon 500. The thirdembodiment of the present invention is concerned with the deployment ofconcrete sleepers and other sleepers made of materials heavier thansteel. At least one hoist 504 is provided per wagon, FIG. 5B illustratesa wagon comprising two hoists 504. Each hoist 504 comprises an armpivotable about an upright support structure 505. The arm is moveablebetween an operational position wherein the hoist arm 504 is extendingacross a parallel section of track and a transit position wherein thehoist arm is engaged at a locking member 506 so as to retain the hoistarm within the general longitudinal confines of the wagon body duringtransit. A winch 507, moveable along the hoist arm 504 is provided. Aswith the second embodiment of the present invention a bar or beam 508,typically a steel or iron bar, extends substantially the entire lengthof the wagon body. The bar or beam 508 provides a means of mounting andlifting sleepers stacked on the wagon chassis such as to move them intoposition at a parallel track renewal/laying site.

Referring to FIG. 6 herein there is illustrated an end on view of thedeployment wagon 500 and the parallel track renewal site 604 inaccordance with the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6illustrates the hoist arm 504 to be in an operational position whereinthe winch 507 is supporting a sleeper set via beam 508 above a trackrenewal site 604. In the third embodiment of the present invention thedeployment wagon comprises an outrigger foot or stay 602 supported by anarm 601 extending from the main body of the deployment wagon. Arm 601and foot 602 are configured to engage a ground surface adjacent thetrack renewal site to stabilize and support the deployment wagon duringlifting of heavy sleepers from the deployment wagon towards an adjacentsleeper renewal site preventing tipping of the wagon. Arm 601 and foot602 are hydraulically operated and adjustable via control means toaccommodate for variations in the ground surface of the trackrenewal/laying site. Distances A, B and C correspond to those describedin respect of FIG. 3 above.

Referring to FIG. 7 herein an alternative arrangement of the deploymentwagon according to the third embodiment of the present invention isillustrated. FIG. 7A illustrates a side on view of the wagon 700 loadedwith three layers of concrete sleepers. FIG. 7B illustrates an end onview of the wagon during sleeper deployment and FIG. 7C illustrates aplan view of the wagon and adjacent renewal site during sleeperdeployment. The main difference between the deployment wagonsillustrated in FIG. 5A and FIG. 7A to C is in the arrangement ofsleepers stacked on the wagon. In FIGS. 7A and C each layer of sleeperscomprises 56 sleepers to be laid adjacent to a stationary deploymentwagon and two additional spacer sleepers for in-filling of the tracksite being laid between sleeper sets. The wagon illustrated in FIGS. 5Aand B comprises layers of sleepers having 56 sleepers to be laid atadjacent renewal sites and at least three spacer sleepers 509.

In accordance with the third embodiment of the present inventiondescribed above there is provided a third specific method of sleeper setdeployment. Referring to FIG. 5B herein a sleeper deployment wagon 500is initially loaded with at least one sleeper set. A sleeper settypically comprising at least 14 sleepers. FIG. 5B and FIG. 7A bothillustrate deployment wagons wherein each layer of sleepers comprisesfour sleeper sets, i.e. at least 56 sleepers plus any additional spacersleepers required. Once loaded the deployment wagon forms part of atrain, typically comprising 5 deployment wagons, a power generationwagon and an engine vehicle. This deployment train is transported to thetrack renewal/laying sites. Once in position adjacent a parallelrenewal/laying site the hoist arms 504 are unlocked from the lockingmember 506 and moved about the support structure 505 by means of apowered movement. The hoist arms are thereby moved from the transitposition to an operational position. At least one outrigger foot 602 isextended via arm 601 from the deployment wagon to be placed on theground surface between the deployment wagon and the track renewal/layingsite. This movement is powered from the power generation set and isoperated hydraulically. Whilst a minimum of one outrigger is requiredfor the deployment of heavy sleeper sets e.g. concrete sleepers aplurality of outriggers may be deployed per wagon 500. Once the hoistarm 504 has been moved into the operational position beam 508 isfastened to a first sleeper set comprising 14 sleepers spacedequidistantly along the 60 foot beam length. Once fastened this firstsleeper set is winched from the deployment train, the winch 507 is movedalong hoist arm 504 until the first sleeper set is positioned above thesleeper deployment site. The first sleeper set is then lowered intoposition. Deployment of the first sleeper set results in 14 sleepersdeployed along a 60 foot track length. The normal required number ofsleepers along this length is 28. Therefore, the process is repeated byfastening the bar 508 to an alternate sleeper set of the uppermost layerof sleepers mounted on the deployment wagon. This second sleeper set iswinched to raise the sleeper set from the deployment wagon, moved intoposition above the sleeper deployment site and lowered. The sleeper setis lowered such as to deploy the second sleeper set between the firstpreviously deployed sleeper set. The result is a single deployed sleeperset comprising 28 equidistant deployed sleepers comprising two sleepersets each of 14 sleepers, the two sleeper sets having been laidalternately. The uppermost layer of sleepers mounted on the deploymentwagon still comprises a remaining 28 sleepers which, once the deploymenttrain has been moved to a deployment position further along the trackupon which the deployment wagon is mounted, can be laid at a sleeperrenewal/laying site by repetition of the above described operation. Inthis way 56 sleepers comprised in one sleeper layer mounted ondeployment wagon 500 can be used to deploy two 60 foot sleeper sets eachcomprising 28 sleepers by the deployment of four alternating sets of 14sleepers.

The deployment of sleepers according to the third specific methodgenerally leaves a gap between each set of 28 sleepers which is requiredto be infilled. FIG. 5B illustrates an arrangement wherein the sleeperwidth is such as to require an infill of three sleepers between each 28sleeper set. The arrangement illustrated in FIG. 7C is such that thewidth of each sleeper is so as to require an infill of two sleepersbetween each set of 28 sleepers. In both cases, this infill is performedby hoisting a requisite number of spacer sleepers 509, 701 from thedeployment wagon to the appropriate deployment site. Both FIG. 5B andFIG. 7 illustrate sleeper layers comprising pre-determined spacersleepers 509, 701. In an alternative arrangement, each gap betweendeployed sets of 28 sleepers are filled in after the main deploymentevent by a separate wagon which may be attached to the end of the maindeployment train carrying spacer sleepers for infill of the gaps betweenmain sleeper sets.

In accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention and thefirst specific method a deployment train comprising five deploymentwagons 500, each wagon comprising three sleeper layers wherein eachsleeper layer comprises at least 56 sleepers plus additional spacersleepers enables 1800 feet of sleepers to be laid. This being a resultof two 28 sleeper sets, each being of approximately 60 foot in lengthdeployed per layer of sleepers mounted on the deployment wagon. Eachwagon comprising at least three layers and therefore deploying at least360 feet of sleeper sets per wagon. A train of five wagons therebydeploying approximately 1800 feet in track length of sleepers.

1. A train comprising a plurality of adjacent rail wagons configured fordeployment of railway track to a track bed adjacent each wagon, eachwagon comprising: a flat bed capable of carrying at least one panel ofsaid track, and comprising one or more bogies supporting said flat bed;and at least one crane hoist for lifting a panel of track from aposition on said flat bed to a track bed adjacent said wagon.
 2. A trainas claimed in claim 1 further comprising a generator car for the supplyof power of said wagons.
 3. A train as claimed in claim 1, each wagonfurther comprising at least one stabilizing member extendable from saidwagon to stabilize said wagon during deployment of said sleepers.
 4. Atrain as claimed in claim 3, wherein said stabilizing member is deployedsubstantially directly underneath said crane hoist during deployment ofsaid panel.
 5. A train as claimed in claim 3, wherein said stabilizingmember comprises an arm portion connected at a first end to a region ofa chassis of said rail wagon, and further connected at a second end to afoot portion, said foot portion configured to engage a ground surfaceadjacent said wagon.
 6. A method of laying a plurality of panels oftrack from adjacent rail wagons forming a train, each panel being laidby the steps of: lifting the panel of track from a flat bed of each railwagon with a crane hoist on each rail wagon; and transferring saidpanels in a direction transverse to a main length of said wagons; andlowering said panels onto a track bed adjacent to said wagons.
 7. Themethod as claimed in claim 6, wherein said method further comprising thestep of moving said crane hoists from a first transit position to asecond operational position prior to lifting said panels from saidwagons.
 8. The method of claim 6, further comprising, in a singleoperation, laying the panels from each wagon.
 9. The method as claimedin claim 6, further comprising the step of deployment at least onestabilizing member prior to said transfer of said panels.
 10. The methodof claim 6, further comprising the step of applying a smoothingoperation to the plurality of laid panels.
 11. A train comprising aplurality of adjacent rail wagons, each rail wagon being configured fordeployment of a sleeper set comprising a plurality of sleepers to atrack bed adjacent each wagon, each wagon comprising: a flat bedconfigured for supporting the sleeper set, and one or more bogiessupporting said flat bed; and at least one crane hoist for lifting saidsleeper set from a position on said flat bed to a track bed adjacentsaid wagon.
 12. A train as claimed in claim 11 wherein said sleeper setis connected by at least one mounting means, said at least one cranehoist is configured to lift said mounting means and thereby said sleeperset.
 13. A train as claimed in claim 11 further comprising at least onestabilizing member extendable from each wagon to stabilize said wagonsduring deployment of a said sleeper set.
 14. A train as claimed in claim13 wherein each stabilizing member comprises an arm portion connected ata first end to a region of the chassis of said rail wagon, and furtherconnected at a second end to a foot portion, said foot portionconfigured to engage a ground surface adjacent said wagons.
 15. A trainas claimed in claim 14 wherein said stabilizing member is deployedsubstantially directly underneath said crane hoist of each wagon duringdeployment of a said sleeper set.
 16. A method of laying a plurality ofsleeper sets from adjacent rail wagons forming a train, each sleeper setcomprising a plurality of spaced apart sleepers and being laid from saidadjacent rail wagons, said method comprising laying each sleeper setfrom a respective said rail wagon by the steps of: lifting a sleeper setfrom a flat bed of said wagons by a crane hoist of each wagon;transferring said sleeper set in a direction transverse to a main lengthof said wagon; and lowering said sleepers set onto an adjacent trackbed.
 17. A method as claimed in claim 16, further comprising the step ofmoving said at least one crane hoist from a first transit position to asecond operational position prior to lifting said sleeper sets.
 18. Amethod as claimed in claim 16, further comprising the step of deployingat least one stabilizing member from each rail wagon prior to saidtransfer of said sleeper sets.
 19. A method as claimed in claim 18,further comprising the step of moving said at least one crane hoist froma first transit position to a second operational position prior tolifting said sleepers.
 20. A method as claimed in claim 16 furthercomprising the step of infilling of gaps between laid sleeper setsbetween individual flat bed wagons.
 21. A method as claimed in claim 16comprising, in a single operation, laying the panels from each wagon.22. A method of laying a sleeper set in a single operation from a railwagon, said method comprising the steps of: lifting a plurality ofspaced apart sleepers from a flat bed of said wagon; transferring saidsleepers in a direction transverse to a main length of said wagon;lowering said sleepers onto an adjacent track bed; laying a firstsleeper set, taken from a single layer of sleepers carried on saidwagon, to said track bed in a first operation; and laying a second setof alternate sleepers, carried from said same layer, in positionsbetween individual sleepers of said first sleeper set.